Born at Cranston, Ontario on 26 June 1855, he taught school at Brighton, Ontario, and shortly after coming to Winnipeg he was appointed secretary of the Police Commission and Clerk of the Police Court, positions which he held for 35 years. He was married and had one son, Percy Aird. He was a member of the Masons (Master), AOUW (Grand Master), IOOF, and COF. He died at his Winnipeg home, 406 Wardlaw Avenue, on 23 January 1916 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.